Beyond the Label Podcast

We’re talking about those rare moments when you meet people who just get it . From a chance connection at a splash pad to an unexpected friendship formed after a cookie decorating class, we share a few times when we felt truly seen as parents of a neurodivergent kiddo. Finding new friendships as adults just in general isn’t easy — it takes effort, trust, and a little bit of luck — but those real c...

Not all milestones are big and flashy. In this episode, we reflect on 9 recent glimmers—small moments that brought us peace and reminded us how far Milo has come. From getting excited about dinner to thoughtfully picking out gifts for his sisters, each glimmer offers a glimpse into Milo’s world and the quiet, powerful progress he’s making. In honor of Autism Acceptance Month, we’re celebrating Mil...

Milo was diagnosed with autism the month after his fourth birthday. As the parents of a young neurodivergent child, we will make it to the "other side" of challenges over and over again - just like we made it to the other side of the autism diagnostic process. Now, 2+ years removed from receiving Milo's diagnosis, we're sharing how we got there. What compelled us to pursue the...

Ever been in a season where sleep just... disappeared? In this episode, we’re sharing what it was like during a stretch of nearly six months when Milo couldn’t fall asleep for hours—and still managed to wake up before sunrise. We tried everything, and nothing worked… until two yellow blankets changed the game.  Follow us on Instagram @beyondthelabel440 . Email us at beyondthelabel24@gmail.com Than...

When Milo was diagnosed with autism just weeks after turning 4, and as his behaviors became more challenging, I struggled with envy toward other families. Sometimes, I still do. It’s not rational. I know every family has its own challenges, whether we see them or not. But it’s real. And we’re talking about it in this episode. Follow us on Instagram @beyondthelabel440 . Email us at beyondthelabel24...

June & Milo. June is a bright, animated, and funny kid—and extremely stubborn. As the quintessential little sister, she wants Milo's attention, and she doesn’t care how she gets it. While we’ve been working on behavioral interventions for Milo at home and school, June and her four-year-old antagonizing ways have been... a challenge. They are at once enemies and the best of friends. They f...

Nora & Milo.  They are 16 months apart, now ages 7 and 6. Since they were very young, they've had a special relationship. Nora is the proud big sister. Her love and affection for Milo is one of his greatest blessings - but we have to acknowledge that being his sister is not always easy. Sibling dynamics, particularly the siblings of kids with different needs like Milo's, are complica...

When it comes to any special event, the decision of whether or not to go as a whole family, with Milo in tow, is carefully made. That was definitely true as we planned for a fall festival at a local farm in support of Nora's school. Go back in time with us to a beautiful Friday night last October... Follow us on Instagram @beyondthelabel440 . Email us at beyondthelabel24@gmail.com Thank you t...

We're navigating a crowded Costco when Milo spots it: the overflowing rack of Spider-Man costumes. "That one!" he says, very matter-of-factly - and so we add it to the cart. It may seem like a simple interaction, but it was much more than that. Follow us on Instagram @beyondthelabel440 . Email us at beyondthelabel24@gmail.com Thank you to our friend Tom Evanchuck for the use of his...

Turkey calls and SOS texts: We're going back to a day last May when Ty had a plan for a much-needed break - and to enjoy a hobby he loves. When you're in the thick of "the hard," how do you find a way to regroup and refresh? And what if you can't?  Follow us on Instagram @beyondthelabel440 . Email us at beyondthelabel24@gmail.com Thank you to our friend Tom Evanchuck for t...

So often, two things can be true at the same time. That's the case with Milo's birthday. We feel so grateful for him, and for being able to watch him grow! But anticipating his birthday can make us feel a little bit sad. We're digging into our feelings on this episode - as well as talking about some of our favorite Milo moments from the last year.  Follow us on Instagram @beyondthel...

Milo has a fantastic imagination: An orange, knit hat is one of his go-to items to pretend to be Danny Go. But if you try to reason with him that the hat is not a great idea to wear outside on a warm fall day, you're not likely to win. And so, when we set out on a family walk on the trail in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Milo's hat was firmly in place - despite his increasing frustratio...

Last year at this time, our family was reeling. Our son, Milo, had been going on months of little sleep, struggling to go to bed and then waking before dawn, his anxiety pulsing. We were a year removed from his autism diagnosis in January 2023, but no closer to understanding how to best meet his needs. And then - his behaviors worsened. Milo became much more physically aggressive, with longer outb...